HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 6.9.2025 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, June 9, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _X_ Georgiana May _X_
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ VACANT
Adam Keester _X_ VACANT
Sophie Nagel _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _A_
GreenCorps Member Siebert _A_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Nagel made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. May 12, 2025
Commissioner Nagel made a motion to approve the May 12, 2025 minutes. Motion passed
by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. CamerAn Bailey – Urban Agriculture Coordinator, Ramsey County
CamerAn Bailey from Ramsey County was in attendance to discuss Ramsey County’s
strategic priority and plan for advancing food security and urban agriculture, resources
the County currently has available, and share the work plan for the year. Bailey stated the
main priorities are to support food safety net systems, increase access to public benefits,
build urban agriculture, and expand food availability and affordability.
Resources provided by Ramsey County for starting or expanding community gardens
and urban farms include free compost, mulch, and soil, technical help, education, and
volunteer support, grant funding opportunities and land access resources, and excess
produce donation sites. The Urban Agriculture department is also in the process of
developing a Municipal Code Review Tool which will allow different cities to look
through their city code to determine if they are allowing their residents to create these
gardening spaces.
Bailey and the Commissioners discussed foraging, looking to Vadnais Heights and their
foraging ordinance, and the possibility of allowing this in the City of Falcon Heights.
2. Community Park Landscaping
Staff Liaison Lynch presented the landscaping plan for the Community Park renovation
and requested Commissioners look through the plants and trees proposed and provide
feedback to her no later than noon on Friday, June 13. She explained GreenCorps
Member Siebert included an overview of the plants being proposed which is in their
packets for easier reference.
3. Garden Tours
Commissioner Keester spoke about the upcoming Lawn and Garden Tours he and
Council Liaison Mielke have arranged. They will take place on July 19 from 9 AM to 12
PM which is the same date as the Lawns to Legumes Garden Tours. Staff will assist with
collecting host sign-ups, creating a map of the tour, and creating lawn signs. Staff
Liaison Lynch mentioned adding the City Hall rain garden to the tour and including a
QR code on the sign for people to access information on it. It was discussed that this
could also be an option for hosts who would like to participate in the tour and would like
to not be at home.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report – Staff Liaison Lynch spoke about the potential sale of the proposed
Amber Flats property, explained the City was awarded the Solar on Public Buildings grant,
discussed paying commissioners, reminded commissioners of the upcoming Ice Cream Social
on July 17 from 5-7 PM, discussed the golf course sale, and reminded commissioners of the
resident tree map.
2. Council Liaison Report – None.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: July 14, 2025